Thank you.
DFO stock assessments and other scientists described the northern cod stock as having rebounded or seen positive growth. However we read that the resource is not yet out of the critical zone. It's well below the limit resource point. We're aware that in prime years in the northern cod fishery, over 200,000 tonnes was being harvested annually by inshore and offshore fishers and it landed at Newfoundland and Labrador processing plants. As we all know, there is much less today.
I have a couple of questions on this. I'll read them out first and then you can answer them in order.
What is the specific amount you talk about when you talk about the limit reference point? If the stock assessments continue to show growth, eventually someone will have to make the decision to bridge from a stewardship fishery that we see today to a commercial level harvest. Can you tell me what the resource threshold is that you're looking for before we start referencing a commercial fishery? I'd like to hear a specific amount. Do you have any idea how far out we might be from achieving those levels?